After the death of the host: the tyrant cried red eyes

When Empress Dowager Xu saw this, her displeasure became even more obvious: "I thought Your Majesty had been bewitched by that witch and didn't even have time to visit me."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuji's expression was gentle, and he spoke in a comforting tone: "Mother, no matter who it is, it is impossible to shake your position in my heart. Please be at ease, mother."

In the past, such words could always reduce Empress Dowager Xu's anger a little, but this time, it obviously did not work.

Her eyes revealed deeper disappointment and anger: "So, Your Majesty admits that you were bewitched by Shen Bingning, that witch?"

Xiao Yuji put away his usual smile and said in a serious tone: "Mother, keeping Shen Bingning is not just because of personal feelings, but more because of the future of Chu State."

Xi Yan was listening, and although she tried her best to hide it, there was still a flash of indescribable loneliness in her eyes.

"How can a mere woman determine the fate of the Chu State? In my opinion, she will only bring disaster. Keeping her in the palace will only do us harm and no good."

Empress Dowager Xu's tone was firm and left no room for negotiation.

Xiao Yuji tried to explain: "Mother doesn't understand her. When you truly understand her, you won't think so."

However, Queen Mother Xu was unwavering in her attitude: "Mother, I don't care if you understand or not, you must expel Shen Bingning from the palace immediately. You can return as a hostage of Yan State, so why do you want to accept the abandoned concubine abandoned by the King of Yan? Wouldn't this make people laugh at my Chu State for having no one?"

When Xiao Yuji mentioned the days when he was a hostage in Yan State, his heart ached. That was a scar he didn't want to touch.

In order to ease his mother's mood, he had to mention his beloved brother: "Mom, Yuxuan will be back soon."

As expected, Empress Dowager Xu's attention was instantly diverted. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes full of anticipation: "When will you return?"

"I just received a letter. He said he would be able to return to Yucheng within five days at the latest."

"This child finally knows how to go home."

Empress Dowager Xu smiled for the first time in a long time. "When he comes back, I will teach him a lesson. He didn't even attend my birthday party. Does he still have a mother like me in his heart?"

Xiao Yuji continued his mother's words and said, "When he comes back, mother should arrange a marriage for him. Once he gets married, he will naturally stop thinking about running away."

"Yes, yes, yes! I'll get ready right away."

Empress Dowager Xu immediately ordered her maids to collect a list of ladies from prominent families, and asked Xi Yan to join in the selection, completely forgetting her previous dissatisfaction.

Seeing that her brother easily diverted her mother's attention, Xiao Zhu'er was about to interrupt again, but was stopped by Xiao Yuji's stern look, so she had to give up indignantly.

Although Xi Yan was holding the list in her hand, she was obviously absent-minded. Seeing this, Queen Dowager Xu said unhappily, "Queen, you have to pay more attention to Xuan'er's marriage."

Upon hearing this, Xi Yan quickly collected her thoughts and responded respectfully: "Yes, I understand."

Shen Bingning spent ten relatively quiet days in Tingxuan Tower. Apart from daily necessities, no one disturbed her and her life seemed comfortable.

However, this comfort is always accompanied by invisible constraints, especially when she learned that Xiao Yuji was coming for lunch, her mood suddenly became heavy.

In such an environment, she felt powerless and passive, and Xiao Yuji's arrival made this feeling of oppression even more intense.

During the meal, facing the table full of delicacies, Shen Bingning couldn't eat. She directly expressed her wish to leave to Xiao Yuji: "King Chu, I only want peace. I can't help you with your grand plan. Please let me leave the palace."

This was the third time she had said this.

Xiao Yuji picked up a piece of the carefully cooked dish and placed it on Shen Bingning's plate. His eyes were gentle but firm. "Miss Shen is very talented. She shone brightly at the Queen Mother's birthday banquet. This is beyond the reach of ordinary women. I have also seen your talent. There is no need to be overly modest."

Shen Bingning secretly blamed Xiao Yi in her heart. It was his actions that made Xiao Yuji pay so much attention to her. She couldn't help but ask, "What do you want from me?"

Xiao Yuji gently filled Shen Bingning's glass with wine and said sincerely, "What I said before was from the bottom of my heart. I hope you can stay by my side."

Shen Bingning sneered when she heard this and raised her eyes seriously: "I am tired of being bound, otherwise I would not have escaped from the Yan Palace."

Xiao Yuji stared at her and made a promise: "I won't restrict you. I will support you in whatever you want to do."

"I have already made my wish known to you. It is not a joke."

Shen Bingning's eyes sparkled with a desire for freedom. She dreamed of finding her way home in a quiet town. At the same time, she was also looking for inner peace and belonging.

At this time, a servant's respectful but slightly anxious voice came from outside the door: "Your Highness, the honorable Prince Xuan has returned, and he earnestly requests an audience outside the solemn and majestic Zichen Palace."

Knowing that it might be difficult to get a satisfactory answer from Xiao Yuji today, Xiao Yuji paused for a moment, then stood up reluctantly, with a barely perceptible tiredness in his tone, and said gently: "Give Miss Shen some more time to think about it calmly. If she feels bored or uncomfortable at all, let her walk around the palace as she pleases, just to relax."

After he finished speaking, he did not stay any longer. He walked hurriedly and his figure quickly disappeared out the door, leaving the room in silence.

Shen Bingning felt mixed emotions. Fatigue and irritability followed her like a shadow, interweaving into an invisible net that bound her tightly.

She secretly swore in her heart that she would never again go with the flow like duckweed, but must stand up and take the initiative to find a way out.

Otherwise, what awaits her will be the day when Xiao Yuji's patience runs out, and by then, she will have to swallow the bitter fruit of being controlled by others alone.

The afternoon sun shines through the window lattices and shines into every corner of the house, bringing a hint of laziness.

After dinner, since Xiao Yuji did not impose too many restrictions on her, she decided to take advantage of this gap and quietly go to the Imperial Garden, perhaps she could find a glimmer of hope there.

In the Imperial Garden, autumn chrysanthemums are blooming in competition, vying for beauty. Each flower is trimmed just right, and it is obvious that this is the result of careful care by the gardener.

Shen Bingning was walking among them, touched by the vitality in front of her. She wanted to pick a few flowers to comfort her mood, but she didn't expect that as soon as she stretched out her hand, she was stopped by the palace maid beside her: "Miss Shen, please be merciful, these chrysanthemums are the favorites of the Queen Mother."

Upon learning that these chrysanthemums were Empress Dowager Xu's favorites, Shen Bingning became even more determined in her plan.

Ignoring the palace maids' repeated persuasion, she decisively picked a few of the most gorgeous and brightly colored chrysanthemums from the branches, gently held them in her hands, and then wandered aimlessly on the paths in the garden, as if looking for something.

At this moment, Empress Dowager Xu was sitting in a pavilion in the imperial garden, having a long conversation with Prince Xuan Xiao Yuxuan, accompanied by a playful and lovely maid Xiao Zhuer.

From a distance, Xiao Zhuer caught sight of Shen Bingning approaching with flowers in her hands, and could not help but shouting anxiously, "Mother! Look, Shen Bingning, that ignorant girl, actually picked your most precious chrysanthemums!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Xu looked in the direction Xiao Zhuer had pointed, and saw Shen Bingning holding a beautiful chrysanthemum and greeting them with a smile. However, when that smile met Empress Dowager Xu's gaze, it seemed to freeze in the air.